Call  No. 


DUPLICATE 


Edition Place 

Date. 

Recommended  by. 

To.be  charged  to 

This  card,  if  filled  out  by  the  department,  will  tbe  returned  to  the  person  “recom- 
mending,” or,  if  no  one  is  specified,  tnen  to  the  one  “approving”  the  book  order. 


Univ.  of  111.  Lib. 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2017  with  funding  from 

University  of  Illinois  Urbana-Champaign  Alternates 


https://archive.org/details/analysisoflifechOOmcla 


TrUs  &Osruo9  (PouttiAA^-r i 


1 


AN  ANALYSIS 
OF  THE 

Life  and  Character 

OF 

JAMES  McLANE 

The  Centenarian 
BY  HIS  SON. 


Franklin,  Ohio 
1 he  Franklin  News 
1920 


JAMES  McLANE,  AGED  103 


m LlBRAfU 

OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  Of  ILLINOIS 


DIRECT  ^ ZfSZo 


3 

M 16  | m 


JAMES  McLANEJHE  CENTENARIAN 

Advertisement 

There  appears  to  be  a belief  that  the  longevity  of 
man  is  increasing.  It  is  a comparatively  rare  occur- 
ence for  a man  to  reach  the  age  of  one  hundred 
years,  and  when  such  an  event  happens,  special  no- 
tice is  recorded  of  the  same  in  the  public  prints.  Rare- 
ly are  these  notices  accompanied  by  an  extended  ac- 
count of  the  life  of  the  venerable  person.  To  the 
student  of  anthropology  it  must  be  of  interest  to 
know  what  manner  of  man  is  that  one  who  has 
reached  so  great  an  age. 

It  is  an  easy  matter  to  point  out  the  great  occur- 
rences which  have  taken  place  during  the  one  hun- 
dred years  that  have  been  spanned.  If  a person  has 
become  a centenarian  and  passed  his  life  in  the  im- 
mediate vicinity  of  his  birth,  it  is  remarkable  for  an 
% individual  to  narrate  the  occurrences  of  which  he 
^ has  actual  knowledge.  In  reality  the  constant 
changes  in  a village  for  one  hundred  years,  and  that 
C&  retained  in  the  recollection  of  one  person,  must  be 
considered  as  momentous  in  the  larger  scenes  in  the 
2'  history  of  the  nation. 

jP  » 

6 


In  1814  Middletown  was  a straggling  village,  about 
half-way  between  Hamilton  and  Dayton,  located  on 
the  east  bank  of  the  great  Miami  river.  In  a sense 
it  was  a primitive  settlement,  although  it  contained 
frame  houses  and  a grist  mill.  The  residences  of  that 
village  and  the  surrounding  region  were  mostly  log 
cabins.  The  aborigines  still  visited  the  village  and 
were  paid  for  shooting  at  marks.  Squirrels,  in  vast 
numbers,  would  swim  across  the  river  and  boys 
would  wade  out  into  the  stream  to  knock  them  over 
with  a club.  Wild  geese  and  wild  pigeons  would  fly 
over  the  country  in  vast  swarms  continuing  for  days 
in  their  migratory  flight.  Great  changes  came  over 
the  village.  There  was  the  introduction  of  the  Miami 
canal,  then  the  railroad  which  put  a stop  to  the  stage 
coach.  The  turnpike,  or  gravelled  road  was  intro- 
duced. Factories  of  various  descriptions  were  con- 
structed, and  the  growth  kept  pace  with  improve- 
ments. The  telegraph  and  telephone  took  their  re- 
spective places  in  due  time.  All  this,  and  more,  was 
witnessed  by  James  McLane.  During  his  entire  life 
he  changed  residences  but  four  times,  and  never 
lived  over  eight  miles  from  the  place  of  his  nativity. 

When  James  McLane  had  reached  the  age  of  nine- 
ty-five the  newspapers  began  to  take  notice  of  him. 
Having  attained  the  age  of  one  hundred,  then  the 
notices  became  quite  extended  in  their  accounts  of 
his  life.  Many  papers  gave  his  portrait,  and  one 
especially  gave  a very  extended  notice  with  his  por- 


trait  and  a cut  of  his  home.  After  his  death  notices 
took  a very  wide  range. 

Of  these  only  the  following  are  given: 

MIDDLETOWN,  OHIO,  NEWS-SIGNAL, 
SEPTEMBER,  25,  1919. 

“To  live  to  nearly  pass  the  fifth  anniversary,  over 
the  century  mark  is  indeed  a privilege  that  few  in 
these  modern  days  enjoy. 

But  to  live  to  see  the  wilderness  transform  in 
stages  from  the  woodman’s  ax  to  the  airplane  from 
the  tallow  dip  to  radium,  and  greater  than  all  the  in- 
fant republic,  America,  just  starting  from  the  womb 
of  the  immortal  Declaration  with  its  thirteen  states 
a merge  fringe  along  the  Atlantic  to  its  position  to- 
day in  the  vanguard  of  the  world’s  countries,  all  the 
world  acknowledging  its  debt  in  teaching  those  grand 
precepts  of  that  sacred  document  penned  nearly  a 
century  and  a half  ago  stood  for,  is  indeed  a heritage 
that  few,  can  ever  hope  for  or  have  experienced. 
Such  was  the  experience  of  James  McLane,  cente- 
narian, who  passed  peacefully  away  yesterday  at 
his  home  near  Franklin. 

James  McLane  was  a man  of  whom  we  all  might 
take  example.  Of  that  hardy  Scottish  blood  that 
fought  Cuiloden’s  battle,  that  produced  a Wallace,  a 
Burns  and  a Bruce. 

He  came,  he  saw  and  he  conquered.  He  did  not 
seek  adulation,  eulogy  or  emulation.  He  was  a 
worker  and  today  the  world  mourns  his  loss. 

The  older  generation  will  mourn  the  passing  of 


this  centenarian  because  he  was  one  of  the  solid  men 
of  those  days  when  men  of  his  kind  were  the  bul- 
wark of  the  young  republic.  They  were  the  men 
who  took  the  raw  west  and  moulded  it  into  what  it 
is  today,  the  home  of  teeming  millions  of  the  best 
that  the  world  can  or  has  produced. 

The  younger  element  will  revere  the  deceased  be- 
cause of  his  sterling  habits,  and  his  giving  to  the 
world  able  sons,  one  high  in  literary  research 
and  scientific  writing,  an  authority  on  many  sub- 
jects, and  whose  works  are  placed  in  the  leading  col- 
leges of  the  world.  Also,  a grandson  prominent  in 
newspaper  circles  of  the  west. 

Future  generations  will  refer  to  James  McLane  as 
one  of  the  real  men  of  the  nineteenth  and  twentieth 
century,  who  helped  in  a big  way  to  make  the  world 
a fitting  place  for  man  to  inhabit— a real  democracy.” 

“WAR  FINANCE  CORPORATION” 

Washington,  September  27,  1919. 

Your  father  made  a wonderful  impi'ession  on  me, 
and  I can  say  in  all  sincerity  that  he  was  one  of  the 
most  remarkable  men  I have  ever  met. 

Sincerely  yours, 

A.  W.  McLean.” 

FROM  THE  HEREDITARY  CHIEF  OF  CLAN  MacLEAN: 

15  Hyde  Park  Terrace, 
London,  10th  November,  1919. 

You  will  have  received  a letter  from  the  Clan  As- 


sociation  expressing  our  deep  sympathy  for  you  and 
yours  on  the  death  of  your  father.  He  was  indeed  a 
wonderful  man,  and  a clansman  much  to  be  respect- 
ed. What  an  example  he  set  us  to  do  one’s  duty 
fearlessly  and  steadily. 

Your  faithful  chief, 
Fitzroy  D.  Maclean. 

CLAN  MACLEAN  ASSOCIATION 

Glasgow,  5th  November,  1919. 

Dr.  J.  P.  MacLean: 

My  Dear  Clansman— 

At  the  annual  gathering  of  the 
clan  held  in  the  Grand  hotel,  Glasgow,  on  Friday 
24th  October  1919,  the  chief  of  the  clan  made  refer- 
ence to  the  lamentable  death  of  your  father  at  the 
ripe  age  of  105  years,  and  he  desires  me  to  express 
to  you  the  deepest  sympathy  of  the  whole  of  the  clan 
in  your  bereavement.  The  chief  and  clansmen  are 
particularly  interested  and  sympathetic  to  hear  of 
the  death,  in  any  distant  part,  of  a respected  clans- 
man at  an  age  which  few  of  us  are  now  permitted  to 
see. 

W ith  kind  regards,  and  adding  my  own  unit  of 
sympathy,  I am, 

Yours  sincerely, 

N.  S.  MacLean,  Secretary. 

Birth  and  Ancestry 

James  McLane  was  born  in  Middletown,  Ohio, 
October|3,  1814,  being  a son  of  William  and  Mar- 


garet  McClean.  William  was  a mill-wright  by  trade. 
He  came  to  Butler  county,  Ohio,  in  1807.  He  was 
born  on  Laurel  Hill,  Virginia,  and  from  there,  with 
his  father,  moved  ten  miles  west  of  Uniontown, 
Pennsylvania.  In  Uniontown  he  courted  Margaret 
Clark,  but  she  married  John  Curry,  who  died  and 
left  the  wife  with  one  son.  With  her  son  she  moved 
to  Rising  Sun,  Indiana.  William,  now  forty  years  of 
age,  again  sought  her  out,  and  married  her  in  1812. 
She  died  September  25,  1835.  She  belonged  to  a 
long-lived  family.  A sister's  son  was  Hon.  J.  B. 
McGrew,  of  Kingston,  West  Virginia,  who  reached 
the  age  of  95.  William  wa3  a little  above  medium 
height,  clear  grey  eyes,  rather  silent  but  a good  cont 
versationalist.  He  built  the  first  dam  across  the 
Miami,  at  Middletown,  and  established  there  the 
first  merchant  mill.  He  amassed  a small  fortune, 
but  lost  it  all  through  going  security  for  a brother- 
in-law.  He  moved  to  Franklin  and  engaged  in  mer- 
cantile business.  He  attended  the  Presbyterian 
church,  but  declined  becoming  a member  on  the 
ground  that  he  repudiated  the  doctrine  of  predesti- 
nation. He  was  strictly  honest  and  benevolent.  It 
was  his  custom  in  his  mill  to  wait  on  customers  in  ro- 
tation. Once,  being  in  the  cellar,  repairing  some 
machinery,  a customer  emptied  his  grist  in  the  hop- 
per, thus  taking  the  place  of  a woman,  who  was  in 
advance.  When  William  came  out  of  the  cellar  he 
found  the  woman  crying,  lamenting  she  had  come  a 
long  distance,  and  would  be  late  in  the  night  reach- 


ing  home.  William  talked  very  plain  to  the  man, 
who  now  became  obstreperous.  William  seized  and 
punished  him,  and  compelled  him  to  take  his  grist 
out  of  the  hopper.  Placing  the  woman’s  grist  in  the 
hopper,  he  then  invited  her  and  her  child  to  his 
home,  gave  them  dinner,  and  seeing  she  was  poor 
charged  nothing  for  grinding  the  corn.  In  con- 
structing the  mill  dam  William  caught  a cold  which 
settled  on  his  lungs,  caused  him  to  cough  for  forty 
years,  and  finally  wore  him  out.  It  was  called  “old 
fashioned  consumption.”  His  last  years  were  spent 
in  the  home  of  his  son  James,  and  there  died  April 
25,  1855,  in  his  83rd  year. 

His  father  was  John  McLean  born  in  Scotland 
about  the  year  1738.  He  belonged  to  a hardy,  rugged 
race.  He  was  related  to  Flora  MacDonald,  the 
most  famous  of  all  Scotland’s  hsroines.  When  her 
husband  Allan  was  a prisoner,  taken  at  the  battle  of 
Widow  Moore’s  Creek  bridge,  during  the  American 
Revolution,  on  his  way  to  Philadelphia,  he  stopped 
and  was  entertained  at  John’s  home.  John  marr  ed 
in  Ireland,  and  in  1765  settled  on  a farm  at  the  forks 
of  Goose  creek  in  Loudon  county,  Virginia.  He 
moved  from  there  to  a location  ten  miles  west  of 
Uniontown,  Pennsylvania,  and  in  1807,  settled  on  a 
farm  near  Monroe,  Butler  county,  where  he  died, 
from  the  effects  of  a fall,  January  4,  1818,  in  his 
80th  year.  He  was  known  as  a man  of  great  kind- 
ness of  heart  and  generous  impulses,  and  ever  sway- 
ed by  the  principles  of  justice.  He  was  a member 


of  Dick’s  Creek  Presbyterian  church,  located  about 
four  miles  north  of  Monroe.  Although  his  relatives 
fought  against  the  Americans,  in  the  Revolution,  yet 
he  was  true  to  the  country  of  his  adoption  and  sup- 
ported the  cause  of  Washington. 

Childhood  and  Youth 

The  childhood  of  James  McLane  was  spent  in  Mid- 
dletown. Almost  at  the  verge  of  infancy  he  met 
with  a misfortune  that  followed  through  life,  and 
again  became  very  painful  during  his  last  few  years. 
His  half-brother  let  him  fall,  resulting  in  the  break- 
ing of  the  instep  of  his  left  foot.  In  consequence  of 
this  he  never  walked  until  four  years  of  age.  With 
this  misfortune  he  cried  very  much.  The  state  of 
intelligence  of  the  medical  profession  at  that  time 
was  such  that  the  cause  of  the  crying  was  not  known. 
Through  life  the  foot  was  small,  and  toes  partially 
bent  under.  This  caused  him  to  have  a marked 
limp,  which  grew  more  pronounced  as  he  grew  older. 
At  the  age  of  forty  he  commenced  to  use  a cane,  and 
during  the  last  three  years  of  his  life  went  about  on 
crutches.  In  his  youth  the  crippled  foot  does  not 
appear  to  have  caused  him  much  inconvenience,  for 
he  was  active  in  all  the  games  and  pranks  of  those 
of  his  age.  His  boyhood,  then,  presents  nothing  out 
of  the  common.  It  was  practically  the  same  as  that 
of  all  boys  who  are  enterprising  and  try  to  push  for- 
ward. He  was  particularly  noted  as  one  “who  would 
fight  at  the  drop  of  a hat,”  if  the  occasion  required. 


He  had  high  ideas  of  his  rights  and  would  brook  no 
infringement.  If  there  was  anything  of  special  in- 
terest transpiring  he  managed  to  be  present.  He 
saw  the  first  shovel  full  of  earth  removed  in  digging 
the  Miami  canal.  The  first  wheel-barrow  loads  were 
removed  by  Governor  Morrow  of  Ohio,  Governor 
Clinton  of  New  York,  and  Governor  Graham  of 
of  Pennsylvania.  An  immense  crowd  was  present. 
Many  men  and  women  had  walked  a distance  of  ten 
miles.  The  speakers  addressed  the  crowds  from 
open  wagons.  The  water  was  first  let  into  the  canal 
during  the  winter  of  1827,  and  James  was  the  first  to 
plunge  into  it  and  swim  across.  The  Lady  Jackson 
was  the  first  boat,  and  then  used  for  pleasure. 
James  was  its  first  driver,  and  also  drove  the  first 
boat— The  General  Oliver— on  its  first  trip  to  Cin- 
cinnati, for  which  he  was  to  receive  fifty  cents.  The 
captain  fed  him  on  bread  and  water,  and  refused  to 
pay  him  for  his  services.  He  went  to  the  magistrate 
to  enter  suit.  That  dignitary  of  the  law  laughed 
at  and  made  sport  of  him.  At  this  time  he  was 
aged  fourteen.  Early  in  childhood  the  principle  of 
equity  dawned  upon  him  in  a crude  way.  Dressed 
in  white  he  went  to  visit  his  grandfather  and  Uncle 
Stephen,  who  lived  together  near  Monroe.  Noticing 
that  the  tar  bucket  of  his  father  had  less  tar  in  it 
than  that  of  his  Uncle  Stephen,  he  attempted  to 
equalize  the  tar,  with  the  result  that  a fair  portion 
was  added  to  his  clothing. 

When  he  reached  the  age  of  fourteen  his  father 


removed  to  Franklin  and  opened  a store  of  general 
merchandise.  James  became  assistant.  The  time 
soon  came  to  choose  for  himself,  and  then  he  was 
apprenticed  to  a saddle  and  harness  maker.  For 
his  services,  during  this  period,  he  received  only  his 
board  and  washing.  He  soon  made  himself  popular 
with  the  members  of  the  home,  by  never  leaving  in 
the  morning  without  first  supplying  all  the  wood  and 
water  needed  during  the  day  and  performing  all 
chores  cheerfully. 

Marriage  and  Occupation 

When  James  had  passed  through  the  period  of 
apprenticeship,  he  established  himself  in  business  as 
a saddle  and  harness  maker.  On  January  20,  1836, 
he  married  Rachel,  daughter  of  Elder  Isaac  and 
Elizabeth  Dearth,  and  immediately  commenced 
housekeeping,— borrowing  a table  and  chairs.  He 
was  able  to  purchase  these,  after  six  months,  from 
the  saving  of  his  earnings.  By  hard  work  and  sav- 
ing he  gradually  added  to  his  business  and  household 
effects. 

Similar  to  his  father,  James  was  disposed  (and  al- 
through  life)  to  place  too  much  confidence  in  others. 
Misfortune  followed  him,  and  financially,  twice  he 
lost  all,  but  did  not  dispair.  In  all  things  through 
life  he  was  an  optimist  and  pessimism  never  entered 
into  his  calculations.  At  first  the  Bible  was  his 
bank.  All  paper  money  was  placed  there  for 
preservation.  One  night  a stranger  called  at  the 


home  to  pay  a bill.  He  noticed  James  place  the 
money  in  the  Bible.  That  night  the  Bible  and 
money  disappeared.  The  Bible  was  afterwards 
found  on  the  river's  bank.  All  his  money  was  gone. 
He  plodded  on,  and  kept  gaining.  In  the  town  was 
a deacon,  who  was  long  the  head  man  in  the  church. 
He  had  been  a wagon  maker,  then  to  his  accomplish- 
ments added  that  of  doctor,  tanner  and  general  store. 
He  came  to  James  with  this  proposition:  “I  am  going 
down  the  Ohio  river  and  it  will  be  a splendid  oppor- 
tunity for  you  to  dispose  of  saddles.  I will  take 
them  along  and  sell  them  for  you.  You  may  have 
all  the  leather  from  my  tanyard  you  want,  and  you 
can  pay  me  after  the  saddles  are  sold,”  The  snare 
was  an  inviting  one.  All  his  energies  were  thrown 
into  the  saddles,  and  the  faithful  wife  stitched  sad- 
dles until  2 o’clock  in  the  morning,  besides  her  other 
duties.  Finally  the  saddles  were  ready  for  shipment, 
and  a heavy  debt  for  that  time  incurred.  Then  the 
deacon  came  and  said  he  could  not  take  the  trip,  but 
his  brother  Newt  was  going  and  he  would  attend  to 
the  sale.  Still  James  did  not  see  the  trap,  but  drop- 
ped into  it.  That  was  the  last  of  the  saddles;  but 
the  deacon  held  him  for  the  debt.  There  was  no 
redress  whatever  under  the  law.  ‘ ‘It  was  simply  a 
breach  of  trust,  ” and  Newt  did  not  have  property. 
Hard  work,  saving  and  energy  were  put  forth. 
Above  all  things  the  faithful  wife  was  not  extrava- 
gant, nor  did  she  have  a taste  for  “finery.”  Yet, 
during  the  struggle  to  pay  this  debt,  “finery”  of  all 


kinds  were  charged.  Finally  the  last  penny  was 
paid,  and  then  the  deacon  got  a scorching  richly  de- 
served. All  transactions  with  the  deacon  had  reach- 
ed an  end. 

As  the  struggle  continued  James  commenced  to 
rent  or  hire  out  a horse  and  carriage  he  had  secured. 
This  was  the  beginning  of  the  livery  business  in 
Franklin.  Other  horses  and  carriages  were  secured, 
for  this  branch  was  more  profitable  than  saddle  mak- 
ing. The  stable  soon  became  quite  noted.  Many 
travellers  were  taken  long  distances  by  the  proprietor. 
It  was  the  days  of  mud  roads  and  few  bridges. 
There  was  exposure.  One  night,  between  Monroe 
and  Blue  Ball,  James  almost  froze  to  death.  Econ- 
omy and  industry  were  still  practiced  and  soon  James 
had  enough  money  to  purchase  a small  farm  for 
cash.  This  farm  is  located  on  the  tract  purchased 
by  my  mother’s  grandfather,  from  Symmes,  and 
afterwards  was  forced  to  repurchase  from  the  gov- 
ernment. 

Deeming  that  a small  town  was  not  a proper  place 
to  bring  up  boys,  James  sold  the  small  farm  and 
purchased  a larger  one,  three  miles  southeast  of 
Franklin,  and  moved  upon  it  in  March  1852,  and 
there  continued  until  his  deaih. 

Previously  to  moving  on  the  farm  there  were  born 
fiye  sons  and  three  daughters,  one  son  died  in  infancy 
and  another  reached  the  age  of  seventy-four,  leaving 
six  living  at  the  time  of  the  death  of  James.  The 
youngest  is  in  her  seventieth  year  and  the  eldest  in 


T 

hfcr  eighty-third.  The  combined  ages  of  the  father 
and  the  six  living  issue  amounted  to  five  hundred 
and  fifty-six  years. 

Before  removing  to  the  farm  it  was  prophesied 
that  James  would  not  content  himself  there.  The 
first  six  months  he  was  constantly  on  the  farm,  and 
did  not  enter  the  village,  and  never  after  visited  it, 
unless  on  business,  or  the  attendance  of  public  meet- 
ings and  the  lodge  of  Oddfellows.  He  seldom  made 
visits  even  among  his  kindred,  but  always  welcomed 
visitors  to  his  home. 

Before  purchasing  the  farm  he  had  added  broom 
corn  raising,  and  broom  making  to  his  other  labors. 
He  found  this  was  more  renumerative  than  the  other 
lines  of  business  he  had  assumed.  He  now  com- 
menced on  a larger  scale,  not  only  raising  forty-five 
acres  annually,  but  purchasing  the  brush  also  when 
necessary  in  order  to  keep  his  men  employed.  There 
were  six  broom  makers  the  year  round.  In  harvest- 
ing the  crop  fifteen  men  and  boys  were  employed. 
This  entailed  additional  labor  on  my  mother.  It  was 
found  necessary  to  build  two  tenant  houses  on  the 
farm,  which,  with  garden  plot  and  the  use  of  teams, 
were  given  without  charge. 

In  all  the  labors  of  the  farm  James  was  with  his 
men  and  assisted  in  the  work.  In  those  days  the 
laborers  received  sixty-five  and  one-half  cents  per 
day.  Yearly  hands  received  eleven  dollars  per 
month,  with  board  and  washing.  Broom  makers 


were  paid  by  the  dozen,  the  wage  ranging  from 
thirty  to  forty  cents  per  dozen.  The  average  day’s 
work  was  four  dozen,  though  one  hand  made  ninety- 
six,  without  the  sewing.  A day’s  work  was  from 
sun  up  to  sun  down. 

In  those  days  the  men  took  an  interest  in  their 
labor,  and  worked  to  the  best  advantage  of  the  em- 
ployer. My  father  would  go  to  Cincinnati  with  a 
load  of  brooms,  and  nearly  always  gone  two  nights; 
never  left  any  one  in  charge  of  the  men.  The  work 
went  on  smoothly  and  well. 

The  raising  of  broom  corn  was  continued  for  many 
years  after  his  sons  had  left  the  home.  He  was 
successful  in  raising  cattle,  hogs  and  sheep.  The 
wool  of  the  sheep  was  never  marketed,  but  taken  to 
a factory  in  Springboro,  where  it  was  woven  into 
cloth,  blankets  or  yarn  for  the  benefit  of  the  family. 

Mental  Qualities 

Whatever  may  be  a man’s  financial  success— indeed 
any  success— it  is  as  nothing  in  comparison  to  his 
mentality.  Although  mental  make  up  is  preeminent 
in  a successful  life.  The  nerve  force,  in  grasp  of  the 
mind  bid  highest  in  man.  To  it  we  ascribe  religion, 
morals,  thought  and  all  other  qualities  that  belong 
to  individuality.  Of  a truth  it  may  be  said  that 
James  McLane  had  an  individuality  peculiar  to  him- 
self. To  analyze  and  grasp  it  may  thus  be  set  forth : 


Religion 

It  may  be  said  with  great  truth  that  man  worships 
a God  after  his  own  heart.  A vindictive  man  es- 
tablishes a vindictive  God.  A benevolent  man  wor- 
ships a benevolent  God.  From  the  Great  Heart  of 
Jesus  of  Nazareth  there  comes  forth  a God  who  is 
Our  Father.  This  truth  of  man’s  God  does  not  imply 
that  every  man’s  God,  in  his  own  heart,  is  simplified 
in  the  creed  of  his  church.  James  was  nurtured  in 
the  Presbyterian  church,  and  yet  his  father  asserted 
his  right  to  think  for  himself. 

Before  James  was  fourteen  he  heard  his  teacher 
explaining  the  relation  of  God  to  immortality.  The 
quick  mind  of  the  child,  inwardly  explained,  “Then 
all  mankind  must  ultimately  become  holy  and  happy.” 
From  that  time  forward  he  was  a Universalist,  and 
afterward  was  a regular  attendant  and  supporter  of 
the  Universalist  church  in  Springboro,  until  infirmi- 
ties of  age  overtook  him.  Its  denominational  paper, 
“The  Star  in  the  West,”  and  its  successor,  he  sub- 
scribed regularly  for  during  a period  of  sixty  years. 
While  firm  in  his  faith,  he  never  tried  to  force  his 
views  upon  another,  nor  did  he  ever  try  to  upset  any 
one  or  cast  reflections  on  their  views.  He  never 
engaged  in  religious  controversy  unless  assaulted. 
I remember  an  uncle  who  was  very  dogmatic  in  all 
his  views  try  his  hand  at  controversy.  He  soon  had 
awakened  a sleeping  lion,  and  was  glad  to  desist. 
However  he  was  very  fond  of  public  discussion,  and 


never  failed  to  attend  all  that  were  reasonably  with- 
in his  reach.  Whatever  he  gave  for  the  support  of 
churches  was  never  mentioned  in  his  family.  In 
short,  it  was  very  seldom  for  him  to  mention  bene- 
factions. I well  remember  a statement  I heard  Rev. 
Dr.  James  Maple,  of  the  Christian  Connexion  (called 
New  Light),  make.  For  over  twenty  years  he  had 
charge  of  the  church  in  Franklin.  His  salary  was 
$300,  and  that  was  not  always  collected.  He  stated 
that  many  a time  he  was  at  a loss  for  money,  and 
then  James  would  slip  a five  dollar  bill  in  his  hand, 
with  the  injunction  that  it  was  not  to  be  applied  on 
salary.  During  his  latter  days  Rev.  Dr.  Clarence 
Weakley,  a Methodist  divine,  was  a frequent  caller 
at  our  home.  The  subject  of  religion  was  often 
broached,  but  no  disputations.  Once  I heard  father 
say  to  him:  “The  same  God  who  attended  me  at  my 
birth,  will  also  be  with  me  when  I cross  to  the  great 
beyond.”  His  lips  were  always  free  from  profanity, 
or  moderate  words  used  in  place  thereof. 

It  is  a singular  fact  that  in  Franklin  the  three 
early  Uuiversalists,  all  cotemporary,  were  workers 
in  leather,— one  a saddler,  one  a shoemaker  and  the 
other  a tanner.  The  shoemaker  retired  to  a farm 
east  of  Middletown,  and  the  tanner  moved  to  Cin- 
cinnati, became  a wholesaler  in  leather,  and  died 
wealthy.  All  started  in  life  without  capital. 


•JAMES  McLANE 
Last  Voting,  Nov.  5,  1918 


Of  THE 

omehsitv  of  mmols 


Right  and  Wrong 


My  father’s  sense  of  right  and  wrong  was  very 
keen.  It  was  always  his  endeavor  to  view  both 
sides  of  the  same  question,  and  then  estimate  the 
equal.  The  main  point  was  to  discover  the  right. 
If  he  found  that,  there,  so  for  as  he  was  concerned, 
there  was  no  issue.  When  angles  were  presented, 
he  attempted  to  sift  the  whole.  The  rule  of  right  he 
attempted  to  apply  to  all  the  conditions  of  life,  which 
early  led  him  to  espouse  the  cause  of  equal  division 
of  property  in  the  family;  universal  suffrage;  free- 
dom of  the  negro;  equal  rights  before  the  law,  etc. 
In  all  this,  to  a great  extent,  he  was  governed  by  his 
finer  feelings;  for  he  was  a man  of  deep  and  sensi- 
tive feeling,  and  was  easily  brought  to  tears,  especially 
in  seasons  of  sorrow  and  bereavement.  He  was 
named  James  Clark,  after  his  maternal  grandfather. 
As  he  approached  the  years  of  maturity  he  learned 
that  his  mother  had  been  cruelly  treated  by  her 
father.  Her  mother  had  died  when  she  was  only  a 
child,  and  all  the  household  duties,  the  care  of  the 
younger  children,  and  even  the  washing  of  all  the 
clothing  were  thrust  upon  her.  Once  he  Whipped 
her  for  blowing  the  horn  too  soon  for  dinner;  and 
again  for  accidently  letting  one  of  the  children  fail. 
Father  loved  and  venerated  his  mother;  and  so  in- 
dignant did  he  become  that  he  erased  the  word 
“Clark”  from  his  name.  Only  on  very  rare  occasions 
did  he  refer  to  it.  He  changed  the  spelling  of  his 


surname  to  “McLane,”  because,  as  he  conceived,  it 
was  simpler  and  better  represented  the  pronouncia- 
tion.  The  records  of  the  probate  court  of  Butler 
county  show  that  William  spelled  the  surname 
“McClean,”  and  his  father,  John,  “McLean.”  A 
brother  of  James  adopted  “McLain.” 

Moral  Reforms 

In  the  highest  sense  all  reforms  are  daughters  of 
religion,  and  this  is  specially  true  of  temperance. 
James  joined  the  Washingtonian  Movement,  and 
ever  remained  true  to  the  cause.  During  his  whole 
life  he  never  partook  of  any  intoxicants  unless  pre- 
scribed by  a physician,  and  only  then  under  protest. 
He  did  not  allow  intoxicants  kept  in  the  house. 
After  passing  the  age  of  eighty-five,  his  condition 
was  such  that  it  was  deemed  advisable  1o  give  him  a 
tablespoonful  of  wine  in  hot  water,  sweetened  with 
sugar,  for  breakfast.  He  g reatly  demurrred,  claim- 
ing he  had  always  been  a temperance  man,  and  he 
should  so  die.  Reasoning  with  him  it  was  only  as  a 
fnedicine  he  finally  consented,  but  soon  abandoned  it, 
and  then  whiskey  was  tried.  Toward  the  last  this 
was  also  given  up.  Whether  this  treatment  resulted 
in  any  benefit  or  not  it  is  impossible  to  determine.  It 
is  more  than  probable  that  in  some  instances  it  did 
act  as  a stimulant,  though  the  dose  never  exceeded 
a tablespoon  ful. 

In  early  manhood  he  used  tobacco,  but  on  the  ad- 
vice of  the  family  physician  he  instantly  desisted. 


On  all  theories  for  social  improvement  he  took  a 
deep  interest,  but  never  allowed  himself  to  be 
swerved  by  specious  pleas.  In  his  nature  there  was 
a constant  lookout  for  improvement,  and  when  he 
moved  it  was  with  rapidity.  Generally  speaking  he 
was  rather  conservative. 

Independence 

Whatever  view  he  held,  or  action  he  might  take, 
the  question  of  popularity,  or  what  the  world  might 
say,  did  not  interest  him.  In  no  instance  did  he 
court  popularity,  or  seek  to  gain  applause.  The 
great  question  that  entered  the  mind  was,  is  it  right? 
Among  some  of  the  reforms  he  instituted  in  his 
own  household,  were  in  abolishing  the  wakes  for  the 
dead,  then  very  popular;  abolishing  the  use  of  the 
dinner  horn,  and  in  its  place  setting  up  the  dinner 
bell,  although  it  was  derisively  called  “MacLean’s 
hotel  bell."  In  less  than  a year  the  same  was  used 
by  nearly  all  the  neighbors.  In  1852  all  the  farmers 
supplied  whiskey  in  the  harvest  field.  James  im- 
mediately announced  that  none  should  be  allowed  in 
his  fields.  He  was  informed,  in  that  case  no  one 
would  harvest  for  him.  He  replied:  “Then  with  the 
aid  of  my  boys,  I will  do  my  own  harvesting." 
Within  three  years  all  the  neighboring  farmers  had 
abolished  the  bse  of  intoxicants  in  the  field,  and 
generally  had  banished  the  same  from  their  homes. 
It  required  only  some  one  to  take  a decided  stand. 


Political 

In  some  families  both  polities  and  religion  become 
hereditary.  I never  knew  the  politics  of  John 
McLean,  save  that  he  was  faithful  to  the  cause  of 
his  adopted  country.  It  is  probable  he  was  a Feder- 
alist, which  party  was  killed,  owing  to  its  oppo- 
sition to  the  war  of  1812.  William  McClean  is 
positively  known  to  have  been  a Whig;  but  that 
party  held  its  first  national  convention  in  1831. 
What  he  was  anterior  to  that  date,  I have  no  method 
of  determining.  On  the  death  of  the  Whig  party 
and  the  organization  of  the  Republican,  William 
affiliated  with  it.  He  never  held,  nor  aspired  to  any 
office. 

Politically  James  followed  in  the  footsteps  of  his 
father,  and  was  active  in  the  support  of  both  parties, 
though  never  aspiring  to  or  holding  office  in  either. 
Until  extreme  old  age  he  continued  tc  cast  his  vote. 
His  last  vote,  however,  was  cast  in  November  1918. 
With  all  his  political  conferes  he  was  a loyal  and 
consistent  supporter,  especially  of  President  Lincoln 
in  all  his  measures  during  the  Civil  War.  It  is  not 
to  be  infered  that  he  blindly  followed  his  party.  He 
did  not  hesitate  to  repudiate  any  candidate  he 
thought  unworthy  of  the  office. 

Secret  Societies 

The  fact  that  James  was  a member  of  the  Inde- 
pendent Order  of  Oddfellows  is  evidence  that  he 
never  opposed  fraternity  organizations.  In  this 


organization,  and  in  the  same  lodge,  he  held  contin- 
uous membership  for  sixty-seven  years.  During 
his  residence  in  Franklin  he  was  a regular  attendant 
at  its  meetings.  After  removing  to  the  farm  he 
contented  himself  by  responding  to  all  the  calls  made 
upon  him.  His  last  special  recognition  of  the  Order 
was  to  appear,  in  the  parade  on  its  centennial  cele- 
bration in  June  1918.  He  enjoyed  all  the  visits  made 
by  members  of  the  Order,  and  especially  the  annual 
celebration  of  his  birthday  which  were  regular  during 
closing  years.  He  especially  enjoyed  the  visits  of 
the  Grandmasters  of  Ohio  and  Kentucky. 

Education 

The  public  schools  met  his  cordial  support,  and 
made  it  obligatory  on  all  his  children  to  be  in  regu- 
lar attendance.  Those  who  desired  the  higher  educa- 
tion were  encouraged  and  freely  aided.  His  school 
education  was  only  that  which  his  native  village 
afforded,  in  the  way  of  subscription  schools  How- 
ever he  became  proficient  in  grammar,  mathematics, 
geography  and  history.  His  evenings  and  spare 
time  were  devoted  to  reading,  especially  so  after 
removing  to  the  farm.  In  books  he  took  a wide 
range,  reading  anything  that  would  give  information, 
and  sometimes  a novel  would  appeal  to  him.  He 
was  free  to  purchase  books  having  an  uplift.  After 
he  had  passed  his  ninetieth  year  he  read  Garcilassa  de 
la  Vega’s  “Commentaries  of  Peru,”  edition  of  1688. 
His  last  reading  was  done  by  the  aid  of  a magnify- 


ing  glass.  The  last  six  years  of  his  life  he  was 
deprived  of  the  pleasure  of  reading,  through  defect- 
ive eye-sight,  although  he  could  always  see  to  move 
about  up  to  within  a few  days  of  his  departure. 
What  he  read  he  retained.  His  memory  was  tenac- 
ious and  accurate,  and  almost  to  the  last  minute  he 
retained  the  things  of  the  past  and  the  present.  He 
seldom  discussed  the  things  he  read,  and  never 
attempted  to  exhibit  his  knowledge.  He  never 
forgot  a book  he  had  read,  and  could  tell  the  general 
drift  of  its  contents.  Besides  his  church  paper  he 
long  continued  to  take  a Cincinnati  weekly  paper, 
and  for  forty  years  a county  paper  was  procured  for 
the  home.  The  daily,  toward  the  last,  was  a wel- 
come visitor.  None  of  the  papers  were  ever  filed 
for  future  reference. 

Being  deprived  of  the  pleasure  of  reading,  sitting 
in  his  easy  chair,  he  would  sing  the  songs  of  his 
childhood,  snatches  of  which  we  would  be  able  to 
gather.  He  would  repeat  conversations  he  had 
previously  engaged  in,  which  occurred  beyond  our 
advent.  Sometimes  he  would  give  a slight  laugh. 
These  were  the  only  times  I ever  heard  him  laugh, 
although  smiling  was  common.  The  want  of  laughter 
appears  to  be  characteristic  of  this  family. 

Ingenuity 

Any  part  of  machinery  he  was  able  to  adjust,  or 
new  machinery  he  could  put  together.  Often  he 
made  improvements  on  the  same.  In  1867  he  in- 


vented  the  farm  hollow  roller.  It  was  composed  of 
two  cylinders  and  each  cylinder  divided  into  two 
parts.  Every  part  contained  an  iron  ball  weighing 
seventy-five  pounds.  The  purchase  being  above  the 
balls,  kept  the  weight  next  the  earth,  thus  reducing 
the  draught  on  the  horses  to  a minimum.  The 
principle  was  discovered  during  the  summer  of  that 
year.  Sorely  afflicted  with  pains  in  the  back,  he  spent 
much  time  lying  on  the  floor  on  his  back,  for  only  in 
that  way  could  he  find  relief.  One  day  he  noticed  a 
grandson  rolling  a cylindrical  bottle  with  a marble  in 
it.  His  quick  eye  detected  that  the  marble  always 
rested  next  to  the  floor.  At  once  he  applied  this  to  a 
farm  roller,  made  out  the  plan  and  measurements, 
and  engaged  a carpenter  to  construct  the  same.  No 
error  occurred  in  his  specifications.  He  refused  to 
apply  for  a patent  in  his  belief  that  all  farmers 
should  be  free  to  use  it.  It  was  so  extensively 
borrowed  by  his  neighbors,  that  he  was  forced  to 
renew  the  woodwork  of  the  cylindeis. 

Soon  after  taking  charge  of  his  farm,  he  made  out 
specifications  for  a farm  wagon,  and  gave  same  to  a 
wagon-maker,  with  orders  for  it.  The  mechanic 
literally  followed  the  specifications,  but  the  wagon 
did  not  meet  his  expectations,  and  it  was  never  re- 
paired, and  for  a period  of  forty  years  some  of  it? 
parts  were  still  on  the  farm.  The  same  identical 
structure  is  now  in  common  use  among  the  farmers 
of  south-western  Ohio. 


Superstitions 


A belief  in  the  supernatural  is  ground  into  the  very 
nature  of  the  Scottish  Highlander.  It  is  traced 
among  the  families  of  that  nation,  though  long  re- 
moved from  the  original  home.  While  James  McLane 
might  be  said  to  be  free,  yet  indications  were  some- 
times manifested.  A belief  in  the  supernatural  was 
tabooed,  and  ghost  stories  not  tolerated  in  the  family. 
The  stream  of  superstitions  indicated  would  not  be 
so  looked  upon  by  the  average  man.  The  most  con- 
spicious  was  his  belief  in  the  efficiency  of  medicine, 
although  that  belongs  to  nearly  all  classes  and 
nations.  However,  I do  not  recall  an  instance 
where  he  sent  for  a physician  for  himself,  and  when 
advised  to  consult  one,  usually  protested.  He  was 
always  the  first  to  discover  that  the  remedy  used  did 
not  apply  to  the  case.  On  the  other  hand  he  was 
always  prompt  in  securing  medical  treatment,  when 
any  member  of  the  ' family  apparently  required  it. 
He  believed,  in  his  old  days,  that  the  fruit  of  a 
buckeye  tree,  if  carried  about  the  person,  was  a 
positive  remedy  in  rheumatism,  and  collected  the 
same  every  year  to  distribute  the  same  freely  among 
those  afflicted.  He  believed  in  planting  potatoes  in 
the  old  of  the  moon;  that  shingles  should  be  nailed 
to  roof,  and  corner  chunks  under  fence  rail  corners, 
should  be  placed  in  the  new  or  full  of  the  moon;  hogs 
trimmed  in  certain  signs  of  the  zodiac,  but  doubtful 
about  commencing  a new  work  on  Friday.  Fortu- 


nately  in  all  this  his  wisdom  got  the  better  of  the 
teaching,  and  when  the  time  came  for  action  he  was 
not  guided  by  the  almanac,  nor  did  he  consult  the 
records  of  the  absurd. 

Disposition 

On  three  or  four  times  I have  seen  my  father, 
momentarily  give  way  to  indignation;  yet,  I never 
saw  him  display  anger.  I have  frequently  seen  him 
take  a decided  stand  which  forbade  any  encroach- 
ment. Naturally  he  had  a fiery  temper,  which  in 
his  earlier  years,  was  easily  wrought  upon.  He 
early  learned  the  folly  of  anger,  and  at  once  sought 
to  have  complete  control  over  himself.  He  ultimate- 
ly became  one  of  the  most  forbearing  and  patient  of 
men,  which  new  revelation  continued  to  grow  upon 
him.  A lady,  after  years  of  acquaintance  with  him, 
once  said  to  him:  “How  is  it  that  you  are  always  so 
patient?”  He  replied:  “I  have  as  quick  a temper  as 
any  person,  but  I have  learned  to  control  it.”  That 
he  was  quick  to  resent  a wrong,  I give  in  following 
instances: 

In  1852,  when  the  writer  was  four  years  of  age, 
I went  into  the  livery-stable,  recently  turned  over  to 
the  new  proprietor,  M— . The  proprietor,  seized  me, 
lifted  me  up  by  the  feet,  took  me  to  the  water  barrel, 
threatening  to  drown  me.  I was  terribly  frightened, 
and  screamed,  only  as  a child  can.  Father  heard 
that  cry,  and  then  rushed  with  all  possible  speed. 
By  the  time  he  reached  the  door,  M—  had  released 


his  hold,  and  was  cutting  me  around  the  legs,  with  a 
whip,  and  all  the  time  I was  screaming  with  all  the 
fright  possible.  Father  immediately  seized  the 
situation;  rushed  upon  M— ; struck  him  a powerful 
blow  in  the  face,  which  landed  the  miscreant  flat  on 
his  back.  That  stroke  cost  father  $70.  M—  had 
not  paid  the  full  amount  on  the  sale,  and  being 
angered  by  his  discomfiture,  caused  a lawsuit  on  the 
debt. 

When  father  was  eighty-five  a man  tried  to  swindle 
him  out  of  the  price  agreed  upon  for  a wagon.  Some 
words  ensued,  and  in  the  controversy  father  told 
him  the  opinion  in  which  he  was  held,  and  then 
rushed  for  him  to  drag  him  off  the  horse.  The  man 
paid  his  debt.  This  I witnessed. 

During  the  Civil  War,  father  spoke  to  a man  con- 
cerning his  actions  towards  a son.  The  man  replied, 
“Your  son  lies.”  Instantly  the  man  was  picking 
himself  up  from  the  ground  where  he  was  prostrated. 

I have  heard  from  different  parties,  who  witnessed 
the  scene  which  occurred  about  the  year  1868.  Two 
of  his  daughters  had  run  up  against  him  a dry  goods 
bill  amounting  to  several  hundred  dollars,  without 
his  knowledge  or  consent.  The  witnesses  said  it  was 
“a  veritable  storm.” 

Home  Life 

The  real  life  of  a man  is  exhibited  in  the  home. 
Whatever  may  be  his  judgment  or  sensibilities  that 
life  brings  this  forth.  In  his  home,  on  the  farm, 


father  was  ever  contented  and  at  his  best.  The 
government  of  the  family  largely  rested  upon  my 
mother.  We  soon  learned  that  when  he  spoke 
obedience  was  necessary.  There  was  no  appeal  from 
one  to  the  other.  The  government  was  always  mild, 
and  the  best  interests  of  all  were  considered.  Arbi- 
trary law  was  absent.  The  wishes  or  desires  of 
every  member  were  listened  to.  Probably  too  much 
latitude  was  often  conceded.  Punishment  was  sel- 
dom resorted  to.  The  switch,  on  very  rare  occasions 
was  used.  I only  recall  four  instances,  and  then  the 
stroke  was  always  up.  His  fondness  for  children 
was  great;  and  usually  a grandchild  was  in  the 
family.  He  would  take  an  infant,  rest  it  partly  on 
his  chest,  and  then  read  by  the  hour. 

Within  the  house  my  mother  was  supreme.  There 
was  no  interference  or  suggestions  relative  to  its 
management.  She  was  a most  excellent  cook,  and 
saw  to  it  that  all  cooking  was  thoroughly  done.  Her 
housekeeping  was  cleanly  and  in  order,  with  a place 
for  everything.  She  was  a generous  provider, 
placing  on  the  table  all  that  was  beneficial,  and  that 
of  the  very  best  quality.  The  three  meals  per  day 
varied  but  little,  save  on  Sunday,  when  the  meal  for 
dinner  was  extra,  and  that  for  supper  consisted  of 
bread  and  milk;  but  in  the  winter  corn-mush  was 
substituted  for  the  wheat  bread.  The  favorite 
dishes  of  father  were  pie  and  stewed  green  peas. 
Pie  was  served  at  every  meal,  and  his  favorite  was 
apple  and  peach,  and  when  just  out  of  the  oven  he 


would  add  cream  and  sugar.  He  never  drank  more 
than  a cup  of  coffee  or  tea  at  a meal.  Coffee  was 
served  in  the  morning  and  after  1854,  milk  and  tea 
for  dinner  and  supper.  At  dinner  he  drank  his  glass 
of  buttermilk.  He  never  eat  between  meals,  except 
fruit.  I never  saw  him  drink  water  at  any  time.  He 
never  suggested  what  should  be  prepared  for  the 
table,  nor  did  he  take  exceptions  to  what  was  placed 
before  him.  Mother  superintended  the  marketing, 
turning  the  butter  and  eggs  into  groceries.  Father 
looked  after  the  meat,  flour  and  potatoes.  He  eat 
with  great  rapidity,  and  immediately  left  the  table 
when  replenished.  In  the  consumption  of  food  he 
was  quite  moderate.  He  never  referred  to  the  meal, 
nor  stated  what  had  been  set  before  him. 

When  evening  set  in  mother  would  take  up  her 
knitting  or  mending  of  clothes,  and  father  would 
read  aloud,  either  from  a newspaper  or  a book. 
When  pushed,  mother  would  take  the  evening  for 
twisting  yarn,  preparatory  for  knitting.  Any  mem- 
ber of  the  family  could  retire  to  another  room. 
Eight  o’clock  p.  m.  was  retiring  hour,  with  breakfast 
generally  before  daylight. 

Treatment  of  Animals 

Father  was  never  known  to  abuse  or  mistreat  an 
animal  of  any  description.  If  it  was  necessary  to 
kill  a horse,  he  would  give  the  order,  but  never 
witnessed  the  action.  The  animals  were  regularly 
and  amply  fed,  while  he  never  whipped  a horse,  he 


did  not  hesitate  “to  touch  them  up,”  with  a switch 
if  he  possessed  the  same;  but  generally  slap  with 
the  lines.  Occasionly  he  hauled  the  produce  to  mar- 
ket, and  sometimes  went  with  brooms  to  Cincinnati 
and  Dayton.  During  life  he  owned  300  different 
horses,  and  in  hi3  younger  days  was  considered  a 
good  horse-trader,  as  he  was  a good  judge  of  that 
animal. 

Personal  Features 

Father  was  not  a man  to  attract  attention,  save 
by  his  limp  when  walking.  His  looks,  his  clothing, 
his  mannerism  and  his  voice  were  not  specially 
noticeable.  He  never  took  a position  in  a crowd,  or 
said  a word  that  would  cause  him  to  be  noticed.  He 
never  sought  notice  or  praise,  nor  did  he  ever  inten- 
tionally provoke  blame.  There  was  not  a particle 
of  show  or  display  in  his  composition.  His  clothing 
was  always  plain,  and  for  every  day  use  made  of 
cloth  from  which  his  sheep  had  produced  the  wool. 
He  never  wore  underclothing  or  an  overcoat  until 
after  he  had  passed  his  seventieth  year,  although  he 
had  often  been  exposed  to  the  inclemency  of  the 
weather  and  fording  smaller  streams. 

His  eyes  were  grey  and  deep  set.  In  his  prime  he 
stood  five  feet  nine  inches,  with  a chest  measurement 
of  forty-two  inches.  His  hair  was  dark  brown.  He 
was  compactly  built.  Owing  to  the  long  use  of  the 
awl,  in  sewing  harness  and  stitching  saddles,  his 
knuckles  were  enlarged,  and  were  rather  noticeable 


in  old  age.  At  the  time  of  his*decease  his  chest 
measured  thirty-five  and  one  half  inches,  and  head 
measurement,  just  above  the  ears,  twenty-two  inches. 

Peculiarities 

The  peculiarities  were  not  of  a pronounced  nature. 
In  early  life  he  was  much  given  to  swimming,  but 
during  the  last  sixty  years  he  probably  never  entered 
the  water.  His  rule  was  to  take  a towel  bath  once 
a week,  and  during  the  spring  and  autumn  months 
was  fond  of  bathing  his  feet  in  very  warm  water  in 
which  was  ground  mustard  seed. 

While  his  sense  of  humor  was  very  keen,  yet  he 
never  repeated  an  amusing  story,  nor  passed  a 
practical  joke.  Sometimes  he  would  tease  children 
after  a harmless  manner.  He  never  owned  a tooth 
brush,  nor  used  one,  and  retained  the  greater  num- 
ber of  teeth  up  to  his  ninetieth  year;  had  seven  teeth 
five  years  before  his  death,  and  four  at  the  last.  At 
the  age  of  forty  he  suffered  greatly  from  the  tooth- 
ache, and  night  after  night  walked  the  floor  on  account 
of  the  violent  pain.  At  that  time  he  noticed  a state- 
ment in  a newspaper,  that  if  a person  when  washing 
his  face,  would  take  his  thumbs,  while  yet  wet,  and 
give  the  bone  just  back  of  the  ears  a good  rubbing, 
he  would  never  have  the  toothache.  He  put  this 
immediately  into  practice,  and  never  after  suffered 
from  the  complaint.  After  awhile  the  action  became 
a habit  which  ever  continued. 

It  was  almost  an  inviolable  rule  never  to  borrow, 


but  to  own  all  that  was  needed.  On  the  other  hand 
he  never  refused  to  loan,  on  account  of  which  he 
was  much  imposed  upon.  One  neighbor,  of  much 
wealth,  was  an  incessant  borrower,  but  never  re- 
turned the  loaned  implement;  and  if  he  broke  the 
said  tool,  he  never  offered  to  replace  it.  No  fault 
was  found,  or  reference  made  to  it. 

While  he  was  fearless,  yet  he  had  a fear  of  being 
burned  out,  owing  to  so  many  cases  that  had  come 
under  his  individual  notice,  resulting  from  revenge. 
It  was  largely  on  this  ground  that  he  did  not  resent 
hunting  on  his  property,  though  his  fences  were 
thrown  down,  his  stock  shot,  and  his  poultry  stolen. 
He  never  hunted  game  himself,  nor  did  he  keep  fire- 
arms about  the  house.  Nor  were  any  of  his  doors 
ever  locked,  until  after  the  house  was  twice  robbed 
by  night;  and  this  appears  to  have  been  done  by  an 
employe  whom  he  had  specially  favored.  As  his 
father  had  been  financially  ruined  by  going  security, 
he  always  refused  to  become  a bondsman.  Nor  did 
he  ever  ask  it  of  another. 

He  never  stopped  to  consider  whether  his  views, 
dress  or  manner  would  be  favorably  received.  Never 
did  he  court  popularity.  If  a new  idea  dawned  upon 
him,  its  acceptance  was  never  governed  by  the 
might  be  opinions  of  others. 

While  he  avoided  litigation,  yet  he  did  not  fear  it. 
I recall  only  one  case  when  he  was  sued  at  the  law. 
He  had  purchased  many  cords  of  wood  for  specula- 
tion. After  paying  the  whole  amount,  the  man 


claimed  that  the  last  credit  received  was  lacking  to 
the  amount  of  $10,  and  prosecuted  for  that  amount. 
Father  employed  no  attorney,  but  on  the  trial  pro- 
duced five  witnesses,  who  were  present  in  the 
grocery  at  the  time  the  final  settlement  was  male, 
and  that  they  saw  the  bills  laid  out  one  by  one  on 
the  man’s  knee,  and  mentally  counted  the  same. 
The  man  afterwards  said:  “I  spent  $30  to  get  $10 
and  then  didn’t  get  it.”  When  he  entered  suit, 
which  couldn't  have  been  over  five  or  six  times,  it 
was  because  it  was  aggravated. 

Sickness  and  Suffering 

The  only  tradition  in  the  family,  of  sickness,  I 
recall,  is  that  of  pneumonia,  when  he  was  a boy. 
He  was  doctored  by  his  half-brother,  John  Curry. 
As  I remember  the  treatment  was  by  bleeding.  Ar- 
riving at  the  age  of  forty  he  began  to  have  severe 
pains  in  his  back,  more  or  less  alternated  by  ex- 
cruciating pains  in  his  right  side.  During  one  of  these 
paroxysm  he  would  lean  up  against  the  garden  fence, 
while  great  drops  of  sweat  would  pour  out  on  his 
face,  and  the  muscles  tightly  drawn;  though  there 
was  no  word  of  complaint,  and  seldom  a groan.  It 
is  a little  singular  that  a granddaughter  and  the 
writer  have  been  afflicted  with  the  same  kind  of 
pain  in  the  side.  Various  medicine  men  were  con- 
sulted, but  none  gave  him  any  relief.  It  was  at  this 
time  that  the  family,  and  shared  by  himself,  thought 
his  days  were  numbered.  Singular,  as  it  may  seem, 


that  idea  ever  continued  in  the  family.  My  mother 
strongly  believed  it.  Many  summers  were  days  of 
distress.  Toward  winter  the  pains  grew  less  in 
intensity.  Then  vomiting  set  in  and  medical  assist- 
ance did  not  benefit.  Finally,  of  his  own  volition, 
he  commenced  to  eat  the  tender  sprouts  of  sassafras, 
and  soon  the  vomiting  ceased.  He  always  attributed 
the  relief  to  the  free  use  of  this  tree,  although 
every  spring  the  root  was  made  into  tea  and  served 
twice  a day  at  two  of  the  meals. 

Twenty  years  before  father’s  death,  during  the  hot 
days  of  summer,  he  would  be  seized  with  great 
shortness  of  breath.  Sometimes  it  became  necessary 
to  fan  him. 

In  1848  he  suffered  from  the  Asiatic  cholera,  and 
his  case  was  the  worst  that  recovered  in  Franklin. 
A stranger  entered  the  village,  and  that  night  de- 
veloped all  the  symptoms  of  Asiatic  cholera.  The 
people  were  alarmed,  and  no  one  would  visit  him. 
Father  realized  the  situation  and  at  once  went  to 
see  him  and  administered  unto  him.  In  a few  days 
father  was  prostrated.  For  two  weeks,  my  mother 
alone,  by  night  and  by  day,  took  care  of  him  and 
their  infant  son,  who  also  had  contracted  the  disease. 
Finally  the  disease  fastened  itself  upon  her. 

Rheumatism  had  a severe  hold  on  him  in  his  later 
years,  insomuch  so  that  he  could  hardly  help  himself 
with  his  hand.  When  at  its  worst;  and  while  sitting 
on  the  west  porch,  a flash  of  lightning  struck  a 
spruce  tree,  some  twenty  feet  away.  The  pain  im- 


mediately  ceased  and  never  returned. 

During  the  summer  of  his  seventy-first  year  he 
requested  a hired  man  to  help  him  on  a horse. 
Thinking  to  do  something  smart,  the  man  threw 
him  above  the  horse  in  order  that  he  might  heavily 
fall  on  the  creature’s  back.  This  fall  produced  her- 
nia. The  wound  gradually  enlarged  until  it  was 
beyond  control.  During  the  rest  of  his  life  it  was 
not  only  of  great  inconvenience,  but  from  it  he 
frequently  suffered  greatly.  The  last  severe  com- 
plaint was  a cough  which  lasted  several  years,  with- 
out relief.  The  greatest  difficulty  was  in  raising 
the  phlegm.  In  the  paroxysm  that  followed  it 
appeared  that  he  would  choke  to  death.  During  the 
severest  part  of  the  winter  of  1917-18,  the  cough 
left  him. 

While  there  were  other  complaints,  yet  the  above 
were  the  major  afflictions.  There  were  seasons 
when  he  was  wholly  free,  but  in  later  years  disease 
tread  its  weight,  one  after  the  other,  in  somewhat 
rapid  succession.  All  of  these  afflictions  mother 
closely  studied,  and  took  full  charge  without  hesita- 
tion, and  usually  gave  her  own  prescriptions.  It  was 
her  custom  every  autumn  to  go  to  the  fields  for 
catnip,  pennyroyal  and  mint,  which  did  service  dur- 
ing the  winter.  But  her  care  and  faithful  watchful- 
ness ceased  when  she  departed  this  life  May  29,  1899. 


Longevity 

Whatever  may  have  been  his  life,  there  must  have 
been  some  special  cause,  or  a combination  of  cir- 
cumstances that  prolonged  it  to  so  great  a length. 
The  attributable  causes  may  possibly  have  embraced 
the  following: 

First.  Doubtless  ancestry  had  something  to  do 
with  it  and  was  the  foundation.  But  his  own  father 
died  of  consumption  after  forty  years’  trial.  What 
effect  this  had  on  shortness  of  breath,  in  later  years, 
we  cannot  determine.  Of  the  numerous  descendants 
of  William,  only  two  deaths  from  consumption  are 
known,— one  a great  grandson  and  the  other  a great 
granddaughter  (both  of  the  family  of  James,)  due  in 
both  cases,  to  vaccination.  Neither  had  ever  seen 
their  great  grandfather,  William.  When  William 
became  an  inmate  of  James’  family,  it  contained 
seven  children,  all  under  age.  He  coughed  much  of 
the  time,  and  expectorated  greatly,  and  during  the 
day  and  evening  occupied  the  sitting  room,  with  the 
family. 

Second.  Mode,  or  manner  of  life  may  have  been  a 
potent  factor.  On  the  farm  he  lived  largely  out  of 
doors  and  spent  much  of  his  time  engaged  with  the 
men  at  work  in  the  field,  in  the  woodland,  or  in  the 
broom  shop,  as  well  as  peddling  brooms. 

Third.  The  buildings  were  sufficiently  high  above 
the  ground  level,  or  an  elevated  position,  having 
complete  natural  drainage. 


Fourth.  Within  the  dooryard  are  two  sulphur 
wells  having  a depth  of  twenty  feet,  walled  up  with 
stone,  and  kept  clean.  Of  this  water  he  drank  but 
very  little,  if  any;  yet  it  was  used  constantly  in  cook- 
ing and  formed  part  of  his  coffee  and  tea. 

Fifth.  The  food  and  cooking  would  necessarily 
have  a great  influence  on  longevity.  The  major 
part  of  the  food  was  supplied  from  the  products  of 
the  farm.  Care  was  invariably  taken  to  have 
the  best  quality,  whether  animal  or  vegetable. 
The  food  was  always  well  prepared  and  thoroughly 
cooked.  No  partially  cooked  food  was  ever  placed 
on  the  table.  Rare  meats  were  unknown  in  the 
family,  and  so-called  breakfast  foods  were  rigidly 
eschewed  by  my  mother.  I do  not  hesitate  to  de- 
clare that  my  father’s  great  age  was  largely  due  to 
my  mother’s  cooking,  and  also  to  the  constant  care 
she  never  hesitated  to  exert  over  him.  Fruits,  both 
raw  and  prepared  were  freely  used.  As  heretofore 
noted;  apples  and  peaches,  and  other  fruits,  made 
into  pie,  made  a favorable  dish,  eaten,  when  hot, 
with  rich  cream  and  plenty  of  sugar. 

Sixth.  Correct  habits  would  necessarily  have 
wholesome  results.  His  meals  were  at  regular  hours, 
both  winter  and  summer.  He  retired  at  8 o’clock  p.m. 
and  arose  promptly  when  breakfast  was  ready,  in 
my  time.  He  consumed  about  the  same  quantity  at 
every  meal,  not  sparingly,  nor  fully,  and  with  great 
rapiditv,  retiring  from  the  table  at  once. 

Seventh.  Evenness  of  temper  has  a soothing  effect 


and  produces  a good  result.  He  never  complained 
of  the  weather,  or  the  failure  of  crops,  or  the  price 
of  his  products.  If  an  election  was  against  his  party, 
no  disturbance  was  manifested.  There  were  no 
brawls  in  the  family,  or  contentions  between  husband 
and  wife.  I never  heard  my  mother  express  her 
religious  views.  Her  father  was  a preacher  in  the 
Christian  Connexion  (New  Light).  When  church 
day  arrived,  father  drove  up  with  the  carriage.  I 
remember  no  instance  when  mother  was  not  ready 
to  go. 

Eighth.  What  connection  a man’s  religion  has 
with  longevity,  I have  never  considered.  There  is  a 
vast  difference  between  serenity  and  fear.  Doubt- 
less fear  has  a ruinous  effect  over  the  body,  and 
excitement  is  a consuming  fire.  It  has  been  noted 
that  the  character  of  a man’s  God  has  a reflex  action 
over  his  life.  This  may  be  an  encroachment  and 
sensitive  question.  Essentially  he  was  a man  of 
peace,  and  on  all  disagreements  in  domestic  or 
political  life  he  advocated  a compromise.  But  when 
war  came  he  was  ever  faithful  to  his  country.  Re- 
ligious excitements  were  abhorent  to  his  nature, 
although  he  believed  in  public  controversy,  holding 
it  was  a proper  method  of  disseminating  and  unfold- 
ing the  truth. 

Whatever  may  have  been  the  cause  or  causes  that 
contributed  to  the  great  age  of  James  McLane,  it  re- 
sulted in  the  exceedingly  rare  privilege  of  his  having 
seen  seven  generations  of  his  family. 


Closing  Scene 

On  March  1,  1907,  father  then  being  93  years  of 
age,  turned  over  his  entire  business  to  bis  youngest 
son.  While  this  relieved  him  from  all  his  business 
and  the  care  of  the  estate,  it  did  not  lessen  his 
interest.  There  appeared  to  be  no  perceptible 
change,  with  the  exception,  of  the  failure  in  eyesight, 
until  1914,  when  he  became  physically  weaker;  his 
cough  grew  more  violent,  and  two  years  later  the 
lame  foot  gave  out,  and  the  remainder  of  his  life  he 
moved  about  on  crutches.  In  1914,  his  daughter-in- 
law  took  him  completely  under  her  care  and  so  con- 
continued  until  the  end.  She  was  specially  adapted 
to  the  labor.  Every  want  was  promptly  supplied, 
and  special  food  was  prepared  for  every  meal.  She 
became  his  constant  companion,  and  was  se'dom  out 
of  his  reach.  All  this  he  specially  noted  and  toward 
her  expressed  his  gratitude.  There  was  no  failure 
in  his  mind.  His  memory  did  not  falter,  nor  his 
judgment  weaken.  It  was  noticeable  that  his  body 
was  gradually  growing  weaker,  though  he  was  able 
to  leave  the  farm,  and  by  the  aid  of  crutches  go 
about  the  yard.  In  all  things  he  waited  strictly  on 
himself,  and  this  continued  until  within  four  weeks 
of  his  death,  although  care  was  absolutely  necessary 
and  that  at  all  times.  In  1918,  it  was  noticed  there 
was  a failure  in  the  mind,  which  consisted  in  a want 
of  discretion,  by  giving  unpleasant  facts  pretaining 
to  those  with  whom  he  was  formally  acquainted. 


This  was  entirely  foreign  to  his  previous  silence. 
On  May  5,  1919  the  first  noticeable  break  took  place. 
It  was  then  he  lost  the  connection  between  cause 
and  effect.  It  was  that  day  he  went  about  the  house 
handling  everything  he  could  put  his  hands  on,  and 
by  feeling,  carefully  examined  every  object.  Then 
he  would  ask,  “What  is  it?”.  “What  was  it  made 
for?”  “Who  made  it?”  And  then  would  declare 
“No  man  now  could  make  anything  like  that.”  This 
was  kept  up  for  four  days.  He  would  also  keep 
saying:  ‘Everything  is  so  strange  to  me.”  “Ido 
not  understand  it.”  Then  a very  strange  desire 
came  over  him  to  be  taken  to  Franklin  that  he  might 
collect  a just  debt,  long  outlawed.  It  was  then  his 
physical  strength  became  greater  than  it  had  been 
for  years.  He  even  attempted  to  go  on  foot  and 
started  off  in  a very  determined  manner.  His  voice 
grew  loud  and  strong.  He  expressed  himself  very 
energetically  in  not  being  allowed  to  proceed,  though 
no  restraint  was  placed  over  him.  From  then  the 
decline  was  very  rapid.  The  last  two  weeks,  in  a 
feeble  voice  he  expressed  his  wants.  The  first  week, 
the  only  word  was  “buttermilk.”  This  was  given 
him,  and  he  took  but  very  little.  He  would  partake 
of  nothing  else.  He  managed  to  sit  in  his  chair,  and 
at  night  he  was  propped  up  in  bed.  That  had  been 
continued  for  three  years,  and  during  all  that  time 
he  never  was  flat  in  bed,  by  day  or  by  night.  The 
last  week  he  called  feebly  for  water,  averaging  about 
four  times  per  hour.  He  partook  of  nothing  more,  — 


refusing  everything  else.  He  spoke  to  no  one,  but 
seemed  to  recognize  at  all  times  his  daughter-in-law. 
He  was  not  wholly  listless.  The  night  before  his  de- 
parture, in  a clear  voice  he  said:  “My  end  has  come.” 

For  a period  of  over  67  years  he  slept  in  the  same 
room.  In  that  room,  sitting  in  his  chair,  at  7 o’clock, 
on  Wednesday  morning,  September  24,  1919,  James 
McLane  entered  the  great  beyond,  aged  104  years,  11 
months  and  11  days. 


